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Wildfire smoke is headed our way again. Here's what it means for air quality

Smoke billows into the sky from a forest fire

While this summer hasn't had the same number of air quality alerts as in previous record-breaking years, conditions are ripe again for smoke from wildfires in Canada to descend into Minnesota and for the resulting poor air quality to impact Minnesotans' health.

Wildfires are becoming larger and more frequent during the summer months in the United States and Canada, in part due to climate change. Warmer temperatures and persistent drought conditions make it easy for fires to start and quickly spread out of control. Smoke from these wildfires can travel thousands of miles, and when strong cold fronts move through our region, they pull the smoke down into Minnesota.

While it may produce colorful sunsets, wildfire smoke that reaches the ground can affect our health. Among other pollutants, wildfire smoke contains fine particles that may be harmful to sensitive groups. Those fine particles can cause harm to the respiratory and cardiovascular systems

Air quality is measured on a color scale called the Air Quality Index. When daily average fine-particle levels reach the orange category, sensitive groups such as children, older adults, and those with respiratory conditions like COPD or asthma may feel the effects. Red air quality alerts are not as common, but more serious, with health effects for everybody and even worse effects for those in sensitive groups. The MPCA issues air quality alerts when its meteorologists expect air quality to be in the orange category or worse. 

Minnesota’s air quality is generally good; we meet all federal standards and usually have only a handful of “bad air” days as measured by the Air Quality Index. But even pollutant levels that meet standards can affect the health of people in some areas. Healthy air is important for everyone.

Global: Enviroflash / AQI alert signup link
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Sign up for daily air quality forecasts and alert notifications via email.

During an air quality alert, everyone should limit time spent outdoors and reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as outdoor burning and unnecessary vehicle trips.

Air quality forecasters at the MPCA track wildfire smoke, ozone, and other factors that affect the air we breathe, and issue alerts when air quality is expected to reach unhealthy levels. See our current air quality page to stay informed. You can also get air quality forecasts for your area and receive air quality alerts by downloading the EPA's AirNow mobile app and following @mpca_aqi on Twitter.

Follow the MPCA on Facebook and Twitter to learn more about how air quality can affect your health.

Global: AQI values
AQI color Levels of concern Index values Description of air quality
Green Good 0 to 50 Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
Yellow Moderate 51 to 100 Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. 
Orange Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups 101 to 150 People with lung disease, older adults and children are at a greater risk from exposure to ozone. Persons with heart and lung disease, older adults and children are at greater risk from the presence of particles in the air. The general public is less likely to be affected.
Red Unhealthy 151 to 200 Everyone may begin to experience some adverse health effects, and members of the sensitive groups may experience more serious effects.
Purple Very Unhealthy 201 to 300 Health alert: The risk of health effects is increased for everyone. 
Maroon Hazardous 301 to 500 Health warning of emergency conditions: Everyone is more likely to be affected.
The colors of the Air Quality Index (AQI) indicate what level of health risk current air conditions pose. When air quality gets worse, people — particularly those with asthma or other lung conditions — should limit their outdoor activities.

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